Kiwis fly in McMillan to cover

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New Zealand wicketkeeper Gareth Hopkins dives to stop a ball during a practice session in Sydney yesterday, as the Kiwis prepare to play against NSW.Photo: AP

Just two days after arriving in Australia, New Zealand has sent
for back-up in the form of experienced middle-order batsman Craig
McMillan as suspicion deepened yesterday that ailing captain
Stephen Fleming could miss the first Test.

McMillan, originally overlooked for the Kiwis' Test touring
party, arrived in Sydney yesterday, ahead of the tour match
starting today against NSW, while a fatigued Fleming remained in NZ
recuperating from an undiagnosed illness.

Kiwi officials, including selection chairman Richard Hadlee,
said they still expected Fleming to fly to Sydney tomorrow.

But Fleming himself was not prepared to talk about his illness
or comment on whether he would be able to join the squad this
week.

The NZ coach, John Bracewell, who a day earlier revealed Fleming
was being tested for illnesses he could have picked up during the
recent series in Bangladesh, said calling up McMillan was a
sensible precaution. Fleming's tests found no trace of malaria.

"While we believe that Stephen will be right for the Test match,
it is important that, with it being such a short flight, we have
someone like Craig to come and join the team," Bracewell said. "He
has battled hard in Bangladesh and his arrival gives us cover in
the middle order should we need it."

The Kiwis will decide after the tour match, which finishes on
Sunday, how long McMillan will remain in Australia.

Hadlee, meantime, said the NZ bowlers, described in some
quarters as "a pop-gun attack", would implement a strategy of
containment against Australia's powerful batting line-up.

The Kiwis are missing quick Shane Bond, who is recovering from
back surgery, and the retired Chris Cairns, but Hadlee said the
remaining bowlers would play to their strengths.

Chris Martin is NZ's most experienced seam bowler, while
explosive all-rounder Daryl Tuffey and left-armer James Franklin
will also battle to contain Ricky Ponting's Australians.

"They are the best we have available and they're contrasting
bowlers," Hadlee said. "They're not express pace, but neither is
Glenn McGrath. The Australian batsmen like to dominate and go after
the ball and score their runs at pace, like four runs an over. I'm
sure the NZ strategy will be to close that down."

Daniel Vettori, the left-arm spinner who will carry a huge
responsibility, will be rested from the tour match because of a
sore shoulder. "There is no doubt that Daniel Vettori will be
available for the first Test," Bracewell said. The New Zealanders
will be captained by Scott Styris during their match against
NSW.